Discover every museum in London all in one place.
There are nearly 250 museums in London – more than just about any other city in the world. Through London’s Museum Guide I want to encourage others to share my love of London’s incredible museum scene, and help you to discover gems you might not have heard of.
Below you’ll find a full, filterable list of everything the city has to offer. Head to the London Museum Guide homepage to explore bespoke guides.
A complete A-Z of London’s museums by theme & location
How to use this guide: The cards below show an A-Z directory of all 250+ museums in London. Use the filters to the right to show only museums you’re interested in.
‘Primary focus’ splits museums by their broad area of focus. You can click ‘additional themes’ to see more specific categories, such as museums covering World War Two, or modern art galleries. If you prefer to look at a map, visit my London Museum Map here.
Finally, have fun, and if you have any tips, want to leave a review for a museum, or notice an error, don’t hesitate to comment or contact me!
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2 Willow Road
Read more: 2 Willow RoadA 1930s modernist terraced home preserved with original interiors and modern art. Designed by Ernő Goldfinger, a key figure in the Modernist architectural movement
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All Hallows-by-the-Tower Crypt Museum
Read more: All Hallows-by-the-Tower Crypt MuseumA small museum in one of the oldest churches in London, housed in an atmospheric crypt. It included part of a Roman floor, Roman and Saxon artefacts, and charts the City of London’s history from Roman Londinium through the Great Fire.
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BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple)
Read more: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple)One of London’s most beautiful buildings, tucked away in Brent. When it was built, it was the largest Hindu temple outside of India, built entirely using traditional methods. It’s extremely intricate and stunning inside, free to visit with people of all faiths welcome. But this is an active religious site so be respectful, and photos…
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Barnet Museum
Read more: Barnet MuseumLocal museum tracing Barnets history from Bronze Age to present. Set in a historic house.
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Battle of Britain Bunker
Read more: Battle of Britain BunkerAn underground WWII operations room at RAF Uxbridge, crucial during the Battle of Britain – fighter aircraft operations took place here during the Battle of Britain and D-Day. A visit includes a tour of the original underground bunker and Operations Room – and above ground is a state of the art, modern exhibition exploring the…
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Bentley Priory Museum
Read more: Bentley Priory MuseumA historic stately home which was the RAF’s Fighter Command HQ during World War Two. It tells the story of the Battle of Britain and the people who contributed to victory. It features interactive exhibits, and the opportunity to sit in a replica Spitfire cockpit. There’s also information about the history of the building and…
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Biggin Hill Memorial Museum
Read more: Biggin Hill Memorial MuseumTells the story of Biggin Hill, “the most important airfield during the Battle of Britain”. It includes personal stories, chapel memorial, and modern interactive displays for all ages. Opening hours change seasonally – visit website.
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Bow Street Museum of Crime and Justice
Read more: Bow Street Museum of Crime and JusticeAn award-winning museum in a former Police Station and Magistrates’ Court, once home to London’s first official law enforcement service, the Bow Street Patrols and Runners. Its original cells and corridors now house galleries that chart the evolution of policing, the lives of those who served here, and the stories of famous cases, prisoners, and…
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Bruce Castle Museum
Read more: Bruce Castle MuseumA Grade I listed, 16th century manor house, which is also home to the museum of the London Borough of Haringey. Its collection includes artefacts from the past and present of Haringey’s neighbourhoods (including Tottenham, and Tottenham Hotspurs memorabilia!). The former grounds of the manor house are now a large public park. As of 2025,…
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Brunei Gallery, SOAS
Read more: Brunei Gallery, SOASGallery at SOAS University showcasing rotating exhibitions highlighting art and artifacts from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Its aim is to promote a better understanding of the art, culture, history and contemporary contexts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
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Buckingham Palace
Read more: Buckingham PalaceThe royal family’s official London residence – millions of tourists peer through its gates every year, watch the famous Changing of the Guard, and wonder what’s behind its huge, majestic facade. Its opulent, magnificent state rooms open to the public every Summer, and are open to some small group tours year round. Highlights include the…
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Charlton House
Read more: Charlton HouseOne of the best examples of Jacobean manor houses in London. You can explore and learn about its rich history and its walled garden. Also includes the exhibition ‘Living in Greenwich: Tales Through Time’, showcasing its collection.
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Chiswick House & Gardens
Read more: Chiswick House & GardensA Grade I listed Villa, famous as one of London’s gems of Georgian architecture gems. It features large gardens (the first ever English landscape gardens); while in the house, Neo-Palladian in style and extremely striking, you can explore its ornate details, period rooms and art collection.
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Crossness Engines (The Crossness Pumping Station)
Read more: Crossness Engines (The Crossness Pumping Station)A sewage station might not be your average day out – but the Crossness is a masterpiece of Victorian engineering, credited with playing a crucial role in saving London from the Great Stink in 1858 and subsequent cholera epidemics. Architecturally it’s massive in scale and stunning, giving it the nickname ‘the Cathedral of Sewage’. Only…
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Cutty Sark
Read more: Cutty SarkThe Cutty Sark is a former tea clipper, and was the fastest ship of its time. It’s now an immersive experience: explore its deck and cargo hold, take the ship’s wheel, and discover what life was sea was like. Below the ship you can see the Cutty Sark dramatically suspended above you – on the…
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Danson House
Read more: Danson House1760s Georgian mansion in Danson Park with rich interiors. The gardens are free to visit, while the house is only available to visit as part of a guided tour. It is also Bexley’s Registery Office.
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Down House
Read more: Down HouseThe home of Charles Darwin, with extensive gardens, an audioguide by David Attenborough and exhibitions about his work. You’ll also find the Sandwalk – a path he would take multiple times a day, thought to be crucial as he developed his theories.
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Dr Johnson’s House
Read more: Dr Johnson’s HouseThe former home of Dr Samuel Johnson, where he compiled his famous and influential Dictionary of the English Language. As well as exhibitions about his life and work, you can explore the period rooms and gain a sense of 18th-century literary life in London.
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Eastbury Manor House
Read more: Eastbury Manor HouseA historic building, dating back to the Elizabethan era, in the heart of Barking. Hosts a range of exhibitions, including by local artists.
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Eltham Palace & Gardens
Read more: Eltham Palace & GardensA dizzying fusion of architectural styles – a medieval palace which was then further developed during Henry VIII’s time, who spent time in the property (he danced in the Great Hall!). In the 1930s, eccentric millionaires built an art-deco mansion. There are also large, glorious gardens – 19 acres of them – and an awesome…
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Fenton House
Read more: Fenton House17th-century merchants house and a fine example of Georgian architecture. Throughout the house are musical instrument and porcelain collections, and there is a beautiful garden, including a 300 year old orchard.
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Florence Nightingale Museum
Read more: Florence Nightingale MuseumA museum celebrating the pioneer of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. Explores her life, how she pioneered nursing during the Crimean War, and her campaign for better nursing. A highlight is the lamp that gave her her famous nickname: ‘the lady with the lamp. Well-regarded for its informative and inspiring storytelling.
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Forty Hall & Estate
Read more: Forty Hall & EstateA 17th century manor house with extensive gardens, exhibitions about the house’s history and a farm. Within the grounds is the site of an even older Tudor palace.
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Freud Museum London
Read more: Freud Museum LondonFinal home of Sigmund Freud, including his collection of antiquities, his study and his library, and his famous psychoanalytic couch. There are also temporary exhibitions, and a portrait of Freud by Dali.
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Fulham Palace
Read more: Fulham PalaceFor over 1,300 years, this was the home of the Bishops of London. Now you can explore its history through its preserved rooms and museum, as well as explore its 13 acres of gardens with exotic plants. Other highlights are its Tudor Hall and its archaeological finds (the site is still being excavated, with findings…
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Garden Museum
Read more: Garden MuseumA small museum dedicated to British gardening history within a medieval church. Home to lovely gardens (as you’d expect!), and a permanent exhibition about gardening and its history. You can also climb the church’s ancient tower, with views over the Thames.
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Garrick’s Temple to Shakespeare
Read more: Garrick’s Temple to ShakespeareAn ornate 1750s ‘Temple to Shakespeare’, built by actor David Garrick to honor the playright. It originally housed his extensive collection of Shakespearean relics, but is now home to a small exhibition about Garrick himself, with reproduction of work by classic artist such as Hogarth. It’s only small, but it’s a beautiful spot, set in…
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Gunnersbury Park Museum
Read more: Gunnersbury Park MuseumA large museum, with over 50,000 items in its collection, focused on the history and culture of West London boroughs Ealing and Hounslow. Features archaeological artefacts from the area; exhibitions on the culture of Ealing and Hounslow and its famous residents; social history; fashion and industry. It’s housed in a former Rothschild mansion, and some…
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Hackney Museum
Read more: Hackney MuseumHackney’s local museum, exploring over 1,000 years of history. This includes exhibitions on Saxon Hackney all the way through to its modern, diverse identity and rich history of migration. It’s all presented in an engaging, family-friendly way and is know for being an inclusive community resource with plenty of interactive elements for children.
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Headstone Manor & Museum
Read more: Headstone Manor & MuseumHarrow’s local history museum, and one of London’s best borough museums, in the historic Headstone Manor complex. Across the complex are four historic buildings – including Headstone Manor itself (a moated manor house) and the Great Barn, a 500 year old farm building. Inside Headstone Manor are interactive exhibits on Harrows past.
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Imperial War Museum London
Read more: Imperial War Museum LondonAn excellent museum exploring modern conflict. As well as military vehicles, rockets and artefacts, has excellent permanent exhibitions on the Two World Wars, an award winning and poignant Holocaust exhibition, and a collection of art and photography related to conflict. Its temporary exhibitions are also excellent and free, and the museum’s focus on real people’s…
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Inns of Court & City Yeomanry Museum
Read more: Inns of Court & City Yeomanry MuseumA small museum about the Inns of Court Regiment, tracing its unusual history and predecessor units from 1584 through many conflicts right up to recent operations in Afghanistan. Open only on request.
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Jewish Museum London
Read more: Jewish Museum LondonExcellent museum of Jewish heritage and culture in Britain, with ceremonial objects, personal stories, and exhibits on the Holocaust.
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Kensington Palace
Read more: Kensington PalaceA historic royal residence in Kensington Gardens, most famous as the childhood home of Queen Victoria. A visit explores opulent State Apartments, the beautiful Sunken Garden and the Jewel Room, home to Queen Victoria’s emerald tiara. There’s also an exhibition about Queen Victoria and the King’s Gallery, which showcases some of the finest paintings from…
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Kenwood House
Read more: Kenwood HouseA stately home on Hampstead Heath, built in the 17th century and remodelled in the 18th. Famous for its elegant interiors, landscaped gardens, and world-class art collection – including work by Rembrandt.
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Metropolitan Police Museum
Read more: Metropolitan Police MuseumA small museum, only available by booking ahead and only open on certain days, with exhibitions about the history of the Met Police, its offices, and crimes in the city.
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Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising
Read more: Museum of Brands, Packaging and AdvertisingA museum tracing 150 years of consumer culture. Its centrepiece is the Time Tunnel, with plenty of historic packages, consumer items and adverts, telling the story of how our lives – and what we’ve consumed – has changed over time, and placing this in its historic context. Full of nostalgia for people who grew up…
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Museum of London Docklands
Read more: Museum of London DocklandsThe Museum of London’s East London branch, set in a Grade I listed warehouse on the Isle of Dogs. It tells the story of London’s port and the Thames, from the rise and fall of the docks to the Blitz. Highlights include atmospheric recreated dockside streets, plenty of interactive exhibits and a Mudlarks family gallery,…
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Museum of the Order of St John
Read more: Museum of the Order of St JohnOne of London’s hidden gem museums, telling the history of the Order of St John – from its medieval origins, to the modern day St John Ambulance.
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National Army Museum
Read more: National Army MuseumThe British Army’s national museum, with a collection of over a million items going back 600 years. Explores how the British Army originated (from the Civil War to today); the lives of soldiers; the British Army’s global role (remember this is the official Army museum – don’t expect a fully rounded debate on the role…
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National Maritime Museum
Read more: National Maritime MuseumBritains premier maritime museum and the largest of its kind in the world. A must-visit for maritime history enthusiasts, with exhibitions immersing visitors in naval history – a higlight is the jacket Admiral Nelson war at the Battle of Trafalgar – and home to ships and boats from all across the world. A Fijian canoe,…
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Old Royal Naval College (Painted Hall)
Read more: Old Royal Naval College (Painted Hall)Greenwich’s architectural gem, designed by Sir Christopher Wren originally as a hospital for injured Seamen before becoming a naval college. It’s now most famous for the iconic Painted Hall, more than 3,700 square matres of Baroque art covering the walls and ceilings, depicting kings, queens, naval glory and mythological creaters. It’s often called Britain’s Sistine…
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Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery
Read more: Pitzhanger Manor & GalleryThe country home of Sir John Soane (Ealing was countryside back then!), designed by him. Soane is one of Britain’s most influential architects. You can explore the manjor, recently restored to Soane’s original design. There is also a contemporary art gallery.
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Red House
Read more: Red HouseThe former home of William Morris, stunningly decorated with original furnishings, Pre-Raphaelite art and gardens. Visit to the house is by pre-book only.
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Royal Air Force Museum London
Read more: Royal Air Force Museum LondonThe RAF’s flagship London museum, with six aircraft hangers looking at the RAF’s history, present and future. Plenty of interactive exhibitions and aircrafts.
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Royal Hospital Chelsea Museum
Read more: Royal Hospital Chelsea MuseumA small museum within the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the Chelsea Pensioners (British Army veterans) established in the 17th century. The stable house, which houses the museum, has recently been refurbished, and is a modern, interactive museum telling the story of the Hospital’s founding by King Charles II and the lives of the…
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Royal Mews (Buckingham Palace)
Read more: Royal Mews (Buckingham Palace)Part of Buckingham Palace, but entered separately and with a separate ticket. Home to the royal collection of stables and a collection of carriages and coaaches used by the Royal Family. Highlight includes the Gold State Coach, used in the coronation of both Elizabeth II and Charles III.
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Sambourne House (18 Stafford Terrace)
Read more: Sambourne House (18 Stafford Terrace)The perfectly preserved Victorian family home of cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne, with beautiful interiors in the ‘aesthetic style’. Stunning stained glass windows and original WIlliam Morris prints. A time capsule of a museum, beautifully cluttered and over the top. You can also learn a little about Sambourne, who was most famous for his cartoons in…
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Science Museum
Read more: Science MuseumA world-famous museum of science and innovation, spread across seven floors of interactive exhibits. Very hands-on and great for kids, with a reputation for making science fun and accessible. Begin in the huge ‘Making the Modern World’ hall, which takes you through 250 years of innovation, showcasing objects that have shaped our society, such as…
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Shakespeare’s Globe
Read more: Shakespeare’s GlobeA reconstruction of Shakespeare’s 16th century Globe Theatre. As well as its live productions in an authentic historic environment, it offers guided tours, during which you’ll learn about Shakespeare’s London and visit the Theatre’s exhibition space.
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Sherlock Holmes Museum
Read more: Sherlock Holmes MuseumA musueum at the real 221B Baker Street, address of the world famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. Aims to recreate Holmes’ world through Victorian style rooms, including his ‘study’, filled with items referenced in the stories and guides in costume. Also home to the largest collection of Sherlock Holmes gifts and memorabilia in the world.
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Sir John Soane’s Museum
Read more: Sir John Soane’s MuseumThe preserved home of neoclassical architect Sir John Soane, preserved as it was at the time of his death in 1837 and home to his vast, varied collection with artefacts from all over the globe. Also hosts a number of free to visit exhibitions, usually around architecture or art.
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St Bartholomew’s Hospital Museum
Read more: St Bartholomew’s Hospital MuseumA museum charting 900 years of medical care at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, with artefacts such as the 1546 refoundation agreement between Henry VIII and the City of London.
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St Pauls Cathedral
Read more: St Pauls CathedralLondon’s iconic domed cathedral, designed by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.with religious art and architecture. Includes the crypt, which is the final resting place of Sir Christopher Wren and the DUke of Wellington,; a Whispering Gallery; and panoramic views across London from the dome.
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The British Library
Read more: The British LibraryOne of the world’s largest libraries, with a free exhibition showcasing some of its treasures – including handwritten Beatles lyrics and the Magna Carta, along with important artefacts from across the world.
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The Cartoon Museum
Read more: The Cartoon MuseumMuseum of British cartoons, comics and animation from 18th century to present, celebrating humor and political satire in cartooning. It also hosts excellent and fun temporary exhibitions.
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The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
Read more: The King’s Gallery, Buckingham PalacePreviously known as the Queen’s Gallery, a public art gallery within Buckingham Palace that showcases work from the Royal Collection on a rotating basis. Exhibitions often explore members of the Royal Family, its history and fashion, as well as its vast collection of art and photography.
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The Magic Circle Museum
Read more: The Magic Circle MuseumSmall museum of magic history, in the headquarters of the Magic Circle – the world’s most famous magic society, with over 1,700 members and a century of history. You can only visit as part of an event, which are hosted several times a week.
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The Postal Museum (with Mail Rail)
Read more: The Postal Museum (with Mail Rail)A museum about the history of post in the UK, with interactive and immersive displays. Its highlight is the Mail Rail – a small train running underground, originally used to transport mail across the city, which you can ride as part of your visit and learn about its history.
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The Queen’s House
Read more: The Queen’s HouseA former royal villa and one of Greenwich’s most beautiful buildings, now an art gallery. Designed by Inigo Jones, setting the blueprint for the rest of maritime Greenwich. Highlights include a painting by Gainsborough; a famous portrait of Queen Elizabeth I and the Tulip Stairs – its dizzying, elegant staircase, the first unsupported spiral stairs…
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Tower Bridge Exhibition
Read more: Tower Bridge ExhibitionAn excellent way to experience one of London’s most famous landmarks, Tower Bridge. Inside are interactive exhibitions about its history; the Victorian Engine Rooms; glass floors, for a unique viewpoint above the River Thames; and excellent vistas of London’s skyline from the towers.
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Valence House Museum
Read more: Valence House MuseumDagenham’s only surviving Manor House, dating back to Medieval times. Exhibitions tell the story of the boroughs history, and the history building is still partly surrounded by a moat.
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Valentines Mansion & Gardens
Read more: Valentines Mansion & GardensA beautifully restored 18th-century mansion set in an expansive park, with period rooms (including a recreated Victorian Kitchen and Georgian bedchamber) and audioguides.
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Whitehall Historic House
Read more: Whitehall Historic HouseA Grade II* listed Tudor manor house, home to exhibitions about the local area and the building’s former inhabitants.
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William Morris Gallery
Read more: William Morris GalleryA museum dedicated to William Morris, the iconic arts & crafts designer, in what was once his family home. It displays the largest collection of Morris’ work in the world, including textiles, furniture, and art. Galleries cover every aspect of his life, including his politics, his influences, how craftsmean created his designs, and a mock-up…
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Young V&A
Read more: Young V&AAn outpost of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) aimed specifically at children. It has three main galleries – Imagine, Play and Design – all designed for play and creativity, exploring design and imagination in a hands-on way. A great introduction to museums for kids! It also tends to host one paid temporary exhibition, exploring…
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